It is not befitting for a scholar to remain silent upon his knowledge, and nor is it befitting for one who is ignorant to remain silent upon his ignorance.
Category: Scholars & Their Status
Backbiting of the layman ranks amongst the major sins
If backbiting of the layman ranks amongst the major sins, then backbiting of the scholar is much greater.
Taking delight in the lapse of the scholar his mistake
As for taking delight in the lapse of the scholar and his mistake so as to circulate this amongst the people to cause division, then this is certainly not from the way of the Pious Predecessors.
The sign of the people perishing
I said to Sa'eed ibn Jubayr: What is the sign of the people perishing? He said: If their scholars pass away.